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Is Coronavirus Widening Generational Divides, or Bridging Them? Is Coronavirus Widening Generational Divides, or Bridging Them?
(3 days later)
BERLIN — When Austria’s Parliament announced severe restrictions on movement on Sunday, two young Austrian roommates rushed to two supermarkets and a pharmacy before the rules came into force.BERLIN — When Austria’s Parliament announced severe restrictions on movement on Sunday, two young Austrian roommates rushed to two supermarkets and a pharmacy before the rules came into force.
Andreas Bencic and Thomas Christl, both 25, weren’t stocking their own larder. Instead, they posted handmade signs outside each shop, each an offer to help the elderly or the infirm with their shopping during the coronavirus shutdown.Andreas Bencic and Thomas Christl, both 25, weren’t stocking their own larder. Instead, they posted handmade signs outside each shop, each an offer to help the elderly or the infirm with their shopping during the coronavirus shutdown.
“You sit at home, you’re bored, you see the whole world is going nuts,” said Mr. Bencic, a student at the Vienna University of Economics and Business. “We thought it was a nice thing to do, just to protect the older generation.”“You sit at home, you’re bored, you see the whole world is going nuts,” said Mr. Bencic, a student at the Vienna University of Economics and Business. “We thought it was a nice thing to do, just to protect the older generation.”
The early days of the coronavirus shutdown have sometimes been interpreted through the prism of intergenerational tension: The young, seemingly less at risk to the virus, party on as older people retreat into terrifying isolation.The early days of the coronavirus shutdown have sometimes been interpreted through the prism of intergenerational tension: The young, seemingly less at risk to the virus, party on as older people retreat into terrifying isolation.
In Berlin on Monday morning, 36 hours after the city shut its nightclubs, a group of youngsters spilled noisily into a residential street after an all-night house party, oblivious to older neighbors hurrying past with their shopping.In Berlin on Monday morning, 36 hours after the city shut its nightclubs, a group of youngsters spilled noisily into a residential street after an all-night house party, oblivious to older neighbors hurrying past with their shopping.
But as Mr. Bencic’s gesture showed, there is a complexity to generational responses to the coronavirus, not least in Europe, where the disease appears to have spread sooner and faster. While some young people have blithely ignored the warnings, others have heeded calls for cross-generational solidarity.But as Mr. Bencic’s gesture showed, there is a complexity to generational responses to the coronavirus, not least in Europe, where the disease appears to have spread sooner and faster. While some young people have blithely ignored the warnings, others have heeded calls for cross-generational solidarity.
Across Germany, schoolchildren and university students from Fridays for Future — a youth-led climate movement that is often framed in generational terms — quickly canceled both their weekly public protests and their planning meetings.Across Germany, schoolchildren and university students from Fridays for Future — a youth-led climate movement that is often framed in generational terms — quickly canceled both their weekly public protests and their planning meetings.
For Quang Paasch, a 19-year-old spokesman for the group in Berlin, there was an irony in how governments and communities have responded radically to a coronavirus crisis that disproportionately affects the old — while consistently avoiding similarly radical responses to a climate crisis that disproportionately affects the young.For Quang Paasch, a 19-year-old spokesman for the group in Berlin, there was an irony in how governments and communities have responded radically to a coronavirus crisis that disproportionately affects the old — while consistently avoiding similarly radical responses to a climate crisis that disproportionately affects the young.
“It’s kind of a generational conflict,” Mr. Paasch added. The climate crisis is a crisis of both the future and “the now,” he said. “The corona crisis is about just now.”“It’s kind of a generational conflict,” Mr. Paasch added. The climate crisis is a crisis of both the future and “the now,” he said. “The corona crisis is about just now.”
But younger activists like Mr. Paasch also found something hopeful in the drastic actions being taken by governments across Europe — because they might normalize the concept of large-scale state intervention.But younger activists like Mr. Paasch also found something hopeful in the drastic actions being taken by governments across Europe — because they might normalize the concept of large-scale state intervention.
“All the politicians in the last years have said, ‘Oh, it’s not possible to act,’” Mr. Paasch said. “But now we see it is possible.”“All the politicians in the last years have said, ‘Oh, it’s not possible to act,’” Mr. Paasch said. “But now we see it is possible.”
Across Europe, leaders have enacted policies that in ordinary times would be contemplated only by the most radical of leftists.Across Europe, leaders have enacted policies that in ordinary times would be contemplated only by the most radical of leftists.
In Italy, the government has suspended mortgage payments to soften the crisis’s effect on homeowners. In Denmark, the government will subsidize 75 percent of company payrolls, to persuade firms not to fire their staff. In France, the state will delay taxes for stricken companies and guarantee more than $300 billion of corporate debt.In Italy, the government has suspended mortgage payments to soften the crisis’s effect on homeowners. In Denmark, the government will subsidize 75 percent of company payrolls, to persuade firms not to fire their staff. In France, the state will delay taxes for stricken companies and guarantee more than $300 billion of corporate debt.
And in the United States, Mitt Romney, the Republican senator from Utah, joined left-wing calls to pay every individual a basic income, regardless of whether they were employed.And in the United States, Mitt Romney, the Republican senator from Utah, joined left-wing calls to pay every individual a basic income, regardless of whether they were employed.
On the environmental front, the crisis has also drastically reduced pollution in northern Italy and China. Data released by the European Space Agency and NASA showed that restrictions on traffic and air travel had significantly slashed pollutants in the skies above Milan — and by as much as 30 percent in Wuhan, the center of the pandemic in China.On the environmental front, the crisis has also drastically reduced pollution in northern Italy and China. Data released by the European Space Agency and NASA showed that restrictions on traffic and air travel had significantly slashed pollutants in the skies above Milan — and by as much as 30 percent in Wuhan, the center of the pandemic in China.
“In the short term it will be very bad,” said Srecko Horvat, the co-founder of a new Pan-European political party, Democracy in Europe Movement 2025. “But long-term it might create some radical effect — a radical rethink of how our societies work, the necessity of public health care, a necessity of slowness.”“In the short term it will be very bad,” said Srecko Horvat, the co-founder of a new Pan-European political party, Democracy in Europe Movement 2025. “But long-term it might create some radical effect — a radical rethink of how our societies work, the necessity of public health care, a necessity of slowness.”
Part of this reordering might include greater solidarity between generations, Mr. Horvat hoped, citing gestures of kindness like Mr. Bencic’s and the number of spontaneous phone calls he had received from long-lost friends since the start of the crisis.Part of this reordering might include greater solidarity between generations, Mr. Horvat hoped, citing gestures of kindness like Mr. Bencic’s and the number of spontaneous phone calls he had received from long-lost friends since the start of the crisis.
Social distancing might keep young and old apart physically, but in emotional terms create “an internationale of generations,” said Mr. Horvat, a 37-year-old Croatian philosopher currently marooned in Vienna.Social distancing might keep young and old apart physically, but in emotional terms create “an internationale of generations,” said Mr. Horvat, a 37-year-old Croatian philosopher currently marooned in Vienna.
“The whole term ‘social distancing’ is wrong,” he said. “It’s physical distancing — but people are becoming closer socially and emotionally and mentally.”“The whole term ‘social distancing’ is wrong,” he said. “It’s physical distancing — but people are becoming closer socially and emotionally and mentally.”
In recent decades, the economic interests of older and younger generations diverged, said Keir Milburn, the author of “Generation Left,” a book about generational divides in Western politics.In recent decades, the economic interests of older and younger generations diverged, said Keir Milburn, the author of “Generation Left,” a book about generational divides in Western politics.
Updated June 5, 2020 Updated June 12, 2020
Touching contaminated objects and then infecting ourselves with the germs is not typically how the virus spreads. But it can happen. A number of studies of flu, rhinovirus, coronavirus and other microbes have shown that respiratory illnesses, including the new coronavirus, can spread by touching contaminated surfaces, particularly in places like day care centers, offices and hospitals. But a long chain of events has to happen for the disease to spread that way. The best way to protect yourself from coronavirus — whether it’s surface transmission or close human contact — is still social distancing, washing your hands, not touching your face and wearing masks.
So far, the evidence seems to show it does. A widely cited paper published in April suggests that people are most infectious about two days before the onset of coronavirus symptoms and estimated that 44 percent of new infections were a result of transmission from people who were not yet showing symptoms. Recently, a top expert at the World Health Organization stated that transmission of the coronavirus by people who did not have symptoms was “very rare,” but she later walked back that statement.So far, the evidence seems to show it does. A widely cited paper published in April suggests that people are most infectious about two days before the onset of coronavirus symptoms and estimated that 44 percent of new infections were a result of transmission from people who were not yet showing symptoms. Recently, a top expert at the World Health Organization stated that transmission of the coronavirus by people who did not have symptoms was “very rare,” but she later walked back that statement.
A study by European scientists is the first to document a strong statistical link between genetic variations and Covid-19, the illness caused by the coronavirus. Having Type A blood was linked to a 50 percent increase in the likelihood that a patient would need to get oxygen or to go on a ventilator, according to the new study.A study by European scientists is the first to document a strong statistical link between genetic variations and Covid-19, the illness caused by the coronavirus. Having Type A blood was linked to a 50 percent increase in the likelihood that a patient would need to get oxygen or to go on a ventilator, according to the new study.
The unemployment rate fell to 13.3 percent in May, the Labor Department said on June 5, an unexpected improvement in the nation’s job market as hiring rebounded faster than economists expected. Economists had forecast the unemployment rate to increase to as much as 20 percent, after it hit 14.7 percent in April, which was the highest since the government began keeping official statistics after World War II. But the unemployment rate dipped instead, with employers adding 2.5 million jobs, after more than 20 million jobs were lost in April.The unemployment rate fell to 13.3 percent in May, the Labor Department said on June 5, an unexpected improvement in the nation’s job market as hiring rebounded faster than economists expected. Economists had forecast the unemployment rate to increase to as much as 20 percent, after it hit 14.7 percent in April, which was the highest since the government began keeping official statistics after World War II. But the unemployment rate dipped instead, with employers adding 2.5 million jobs, after more than 20 million jobs were lost in April.
Mass protests against police brutality that have brought thousands of people onto the streets in cities across America are raising the specter of new coronavirus outbreaks, prompting political leaders, physicians and public health experts to warn that the crowds could cause a surge in cases. While many political leaders affirmed the right of protesters to express themselves, they urged the demonstrators to wear face masks and maintain social distancing, both to protect themselves and to prevent further community spread of the virus. Some infectious disease experts were reassured by the fact that the protests were held outdoors, saying the open air settings could mitigate the risk of transmission.Mass protests against police brutality that have brought thousands of people onto the streets in cities across America are raising the specter of new coronavirus outbreaks, prompting political leaders, physicians and public health experts to warn that the crowds could cause a surge in cases. While many political leaders affirmed the right of protesters to express themselves, they urged the demonstrators to wear face masks and maintain social distancing, both to protect themselves and to prevent further community spread of the virus. Some infectious disease experts were reassured by the fact that the protests were held outdoors, saying the open air settings could mitigate the risk of transmission.
Exercise researchers and physicians have some blunt advice for those of us aiming to return to regular exercise now: Start slowly and then rev up your workouts, also slowly. American adults tended to be about 12 percent less active after the stay-at-home mandates began in March than they were in January. But there are steps you can take to ease your way back into regular exercise safely. First, “start at no more than 50 percent of the exercise you were doing before Covid,” says Dr. Monica Rho, the chief of musculoskeletal medicine at the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab in Chicago. Thread in some preparatory squats, too, she advises. “When you haven’t been exercising, you lose muscle mass.” Expect some muscle twinges after these preliminary, post-lockdown sessions, especially a day or two later. But sudden or increasing pain during exercise is a clarion call to stop and return home.Exercise researchers and physicians have some blunt advice for those of us aiming to return to regular exercise now: Start slowly and then rev up your workouts, also slowly. American adults tended to be about 12 percent less active after the stay-at-home mandates began in March than they were in January. But there are steps you can take to ease your way back into regular exercise safely. First, “start at no more than 50 percent of the exercise you were doing before Covid,” says Dr. Monica Rho, the chief of musculoskeletal medicine at the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab in Chicago. Thread in some preparatory squats, too, she advises. “When you haven’t been exercising, you lose muscle mass.” Expect some muscle twinges after these preliminary, post-lockdown sessions, especially a day or two later. But sudden or increasing pain during exercise is a clarion call to stop and return home.
States are reopening bit by bit. This means that more public spaces are available for use and more and more businesses are being allowed to open again. The federal government is largely leaving the decision up to states, and some state leaders are leaving the decision up to local authorities. Even if you aren’t being told to stay at home, it’s still a good idea to limit trips outside and your interaction with other people.States are reopening bit by bit. This means that more public spaces are available for use and more and more businesses are being allowed to open again. The federal government is largely leaving the decision up to states, and some state leaders are leaving the decision up to local authorities. Even if you aren’t being told to stay at home, it’s still a good idea to limit trips outside and your interaction with other people.
Touching contaminated objects and then infecting ourselves with the germs is not typically how the virus spreads. But it can happen. A number of studies of flu, rhinovirus, coronavirus and other microbes have shown that respiratory illnesses, including the new coronavirus, can spread by touching contaminated surfaces, particularly in places like day care centers, offices and hospitals. But a long chain of events has to happen for the disease to spread that way. The best way to protect yourself from coronavirus — whether it’s surface transmission or close human contact — is still social distancing, washing your hands, not touching your face and wearing masks.
Common symptoms include fever, a dry cough, fatigue and difficulty breathing or shortness of breath. Some of these symptoms overlap with those of the flu, making detection difficult, but runny noses and stuffy sinuses are less common. The C.D.C. has also added chills, muscle pain, sore throat, headache and a new loss of the sense of taste or smell as symptoms to look out for. Most people fall ill five to seven days after exposure, but symptoms may appear in as few as two days or as many as 14 days.Common symptoms include fever, a dry cough, fatigue and difficulty breathing or shortness of breath. Some of these symptoms overlap with those of the flu, making detection difficult, but runny noses and stuffy sinuses are less common. The C.D.C. has also added chills, muscle pain, sore throat, headache and a new loss of the sense of taste or smell as symptoms to look out for. Most people fall ill five to seven days after exposure, but symptoms may appear in as few as two days or as many as 14 days.
If air travel is unavoidable, there are some steps you can take to protect yourself. Most important: Wash your hands often, and stop touching your face. If possible, choose a window seat. A study from Emory University found that during flu season, the safest place to sit on a plane is by a window, as people sitting in window seats had less contact with potentially sick people. Disinfect hard surfaces. When you get to your seat and your hands are clean, use disinfecting wipes to clean the hard surfaces at your seat like the head and arm rest, the seatbelt buckle, the remote, screen, seat back pocket and the tray table. If the seat is hard and nonporous or leather or pleather, you can wipe that down, too. (Using wipes on upholstered seats could lead to a wet seat and spreading of germs rather than killing them.)If air travel is unavoidable, there are some steps you can take to protect yourself. Most important: Wash your hands often, and stop touching your face. If possible, choose a window seat. A study from Emory University found that during flu season, the safest place to sit on a plane is by a window, as people sitting in window seats had less contact with potentially sick people. Disinfect hard surfaces. When you get to your seat and your hands are clean, use disinfecting wipes to clean the hard surfaces at your seat like the head and arm rest, the seatbelt buckle, the remote, screen, seat back pocket and the tray table. If the seat is hard and nonporous or leather or pleather, you can wipe that down, too. (Using wipes on upholstered seats could lead to a wet seat and spreading of germs rather than killing them.)
Taking one’s temperature to look for signs of fever is not as easy as it sounds, as “normal” temperature numbers can vary, but generally, keep an eye out for a temperature of 100.5 degrees Fahrenheit or higher. If you don’t have a thermometer (they can be pricey these days), there are other ways to figure out if you have a fever, or are at risk of Covid-19 complications.Taking one’s temperature to look for signs of fever is not as easy as it sounds, as “normal” temperature numbers can vary, but generally, keep an eye out for a temperature of 100.5 degrees Fahrenheit or higher. If you don’t have a thermometer (they can be pricey these days), there are other ways to figure out if you have a fever, or are at risk of Covid-19 complications.
The C.D.C. has recommended that all Americans wear cloth masks if they go out in public. This is a shift in federal guidance reflecting new concerns that the coronavirus is being spread by infected people who have no symptoms. Until now, the C.D.C., like the W.H.O., has advised that ordinary people don’t need to wear masks unless they are sick and coughing. Part of the reason was to preserve medical-grade masks for health care workers who desperately need them at a time when they are in continuously short supply. Masks don’t replace hand washing and social distancing.The C.D.C. has recommended that all Americans wear cloth masks if they go out in public. This is a shift in federal guidance reflecting new concerns that the coronavirus is being spread by infected people who have no symptoms. Until now, the C.D.C., like the W.H.O., has advised that ordinary people don’t need to wear masks unless they are sick and coughing. Part of the reason was to preserve medical-grade masks for health care workers who desperately need them at a time when they are in continuously short supply. Masks don’t replace hand washing and social distancing.
If you’ve been exposed to the coronavirus or think you have, and have a fever or symptoms like a cough or difficulty breathing, call a doctor. They should give you advice on whether you should be tested, how to get tested, and how to seek medical treatment without potentially infecting or exposing others.If you’ve been exposed to the coronavirus or think you have, and have a fever or symptoms like a cough or difficulty breathing, call a doctor. They should give you advice on whether you should be tested, how to get tested, and how to seek medical treatment without potentially infecting or exposing others.
If you’re sick and you think you’ve been exposed to the new coronavirus, the C.D.C. recommends that you call your healthcare provider and explain your symptoms and fears. They will decide if you need to be tested. Keep in mind that there’s a chance — because of a lack of testing kits or because you’re asymptomatic, for instance — you won’t be able to get tested.If you’re sick and you think you’ve been exposed to the new coronavirus, the C.D.C. recommends that you call your healthcare provider and explain your symptoms and fears. They will decide if you need to be tested. Keep in mind that there’s a chance — because of a lack of testing kits or because you’re asymptomatic, for instance — you won’t be able to get tested.
But the urgency of the coronavirus crisis might force generations to find a common economic cause, since it has suddenly elevated the social value placed by older generations on the precarious, low-wage work carried out by younger people in supermarkets, cleaning, transport and food delivery.But the urgency of the coronavirus crisis might force generations to find a common economic cause, since it has suddenly elevated the social value placed by older generations on the precarious, low-wage work carried out by younger people in supermarkets, cleaning, transport and food delivery.
“There’s been a disconnect which has now been remedied,” said Dr. Milburn, a politics lecturer at the University of Leicester in Britain. “As soon as the crisis strikes, you immediately see that the autonomy of someone who is a bit older and wealthier rests on hidden work.”“There’s been a disconnect which has now been remedied,” said Dr. Milburn, a politics lecturer at the University of Leicester in Britain. “As soon as the crisis strikes, you immediately see that the autonomy of someone who is a bit older and wealthier rests on hidden work.”
But the aftermath of the 2008 economic crash showed that the political pendulum could also swing in a completely unexpected direction, Dr. Milburn said. Twelve years ago, there was initially considerable political momentum in the West behind the idea of huge state-led economic intervention as a solution to the crisis — but it was soon usurped by support for the reduction of state expenditure and debt.But the aftermath of the 2008 economic crash showed that the political pendulum could also swing in a completely unexpected direction, Dr. Milburn said. Twelve years ago, there was initially considerable political momentum in the West behind the idea of huge state-led economic intervention as a solution to the crisis — but it was soon usurped by support for the reduction of state expenditure and debt.
“In November and December 2008,” Dr. Milburn said, “nobody was predicting what would dominate politics around the world was austerity.”“In November and December 2008,” Dr. Milburn said, “nobody was predicting what would dominate politics around the world was austerity.”
There are also fears that restrictions on human movement in force across Europe will eventually numb people to authoritarian actions in a post-pandemic context.There are also fears that restrictions on human movement in force across Europe will eventually numb people to authoritarian actions in a post-pandemic context.
“It’s complicated for us who are critical of governments, because you need full restrictions” to stop the transmission of the disease, Mr. Horvat said. But “what kind of effect will all this have on the future of democracy?”“It’s complicated for us who are critical of governments, because you need full restrictions” to stop the transmission of the disease, Mr. Horvat said. But “what kind of effect will all this have on the future of democracy?”